Last season, we were drawn at home to Sholing in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round. We were approached by Ruben Clark asking if he could cover the club as part of his 'Road to Wembley' trek that he was hoping to turn into a book, following our victory at Tuffley Rovers in the previous round. He was welcomed into the club and afforded all areas access to tell the story of his FA Cup journey. 

Ruben drove down from Manchester to Slimbridge for the 0-0 draw at Thornhill Park, and then three days came made the same trip to join our coach down to the South Coast for the replay, arriving back at Thornhill Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning before driving back to Manchester that night to get home. 

He spoke with many people at the club, and his book - 'Winner Stays On - England with the FA Cup for a compass' detailing his adventures and his reflection on our club has now been published, and is a fascinating read from the excerpts that he has kindly sent to us. 

The book costs £14 and can be obtained from Amazon and other major booksellers. 

The summary of the book states 'Winner Stays On journeys into the heart of English football using FA Cup fixtures to plan the route.

This unique adventure takes us across the entire spectrum of the English game, from Tuffley Rovers to Burton Albion, Luton Town to Manchester City, revealing the people and places that make football tick. With original research and rich, thought provoking prose, the book blends elements of travel writing with football culture and barstool sociology. It's also funny. 

A frank account of the state of modern football as well as heartfelt celebration, the book uncovers where the game is going wrong. Amateur footballers are afforded the same curiosity as Premier League stars; faltering industrial towns are treated with the same respect as up market villages and prosperous, world, leading cities.

Over 14 matches and 14 locations, Winner Stays On brings us a fascinating first-hand take on modern England and the sport its inhabitants turn to for escapism.'

We thoroughly recommend this book to all Slimbridge AFC fans and anyone interested in the beautiful game we all love.